
FOREIGN DEPT. LIBRARY, 
<*>- SIMLA. 


THE RATHORES, 

THEIR 

ORIGIN AHB. GROWTH. 


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THE RATHORES, 


THEIR 


ORIGIN AND 





A* ^ 

V/9ff;oi»or^ 

GROWTH 


BY 

RAO BAHADUR PUNDIT SUKHDEO, b.a., 
JODHPUR, 


1896 


ALLAHABAD 

PRINTED AT THE PIONEER PRESS 
1896 














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INTRODUCTION. 


i. The original name of the family goddess of this 
clan was Mansa. Her famous tern- 
. R "S')" of the word pie being built on one of the hills of 
the Vindhiya Range ; her name was 
changed to Vindia Biasni (residing in the Vindhiyachal). 
Her incarnation in the form of a falcon having protected 
the country inhabited by this clan, she received the name 
of Rashtra Sainiya It**!—“ Protector of the country.” 

This view is borne out by the practice observed by the 
Rathores, till the reign of the late Maharaja Takht Singh, 
of throwing meat to the kites, as also by the presence of 
two falcons on the scutcheon of the Rathore head family 
at Jodhpur. The followers of the goddess were originally 
called Rashtra Sainiya fb*T, which word, in course of 
time, was abbreviated into Rashtra To show their 

grandeur, eulogistic prefixes and affixes were after¬ 
wards attached,— e.g. t Rashtra-kut (Suffix kut 

means ‘ the highest ’) ; Rashtra-wairiya (suffix 

wairiya means ‘ the best’), Maha-Rashtra (prefix 

tnaha means 'the great’). Rashtra-kut the 

Sanskrit form in Prakrit, is changed into Rath-ur, which 
subsequently crystallized into Rathore 



ii 


INTRODUCTION 


2. In Colonel Todd’s book, the Rathores are said 
to have sprung out of “ Raht ” (the spine of Indra). 

3. This derivation is founded on a false analogy. 

In securing the production of the four Varans the 

body of Brahma having been exhaustively tapped, the 
admirers of this clan had to find a fresh god, of an 
equally higher type, to be incised to get the Rathores out. 
The choice seems to have fallen on Indra, the king of 
gods, and it is from his spine that the Rathores are said 
to have been brought out. 

4. Prior to Sambat 975, no where the kill of the Ra¬ 

thores is explicitly entered, i.e., they 
jaSansh 3 ’ SurajbansI or are neither styled Jadubansi nor Su- 
rajbansi. In six inscriptions cover¬ 
ing a period of 88 years (from Sambat 980 to 1068) the 
Rathores are described as Jadubartsi and under similar 
denomination, Haliad in his “ Kavirasha” men¬ 

tions the name of the reigning prince, Rathore Krishna 
Raj III. But in the tambapatra inscriptions of Rathore 
Kings of Kanouj, they are styled Gadhwals and Suraj- 
bansi. This discrepancy has given rise to a controversy 
as to which bans the Rathores actually belong. 

5. The following considerations lead us to believe 

that they are Surajbansi :— 

(i) The oldest tambapatra issued by the Rathore 
Chief is that of Abhimaniya, dated Sambat 500. It bears 


INTRODUCTION 


111 


the seal of a goddess riding on a lion, which shows that 
the Rathores were originally Devi Upashak 
or Surajbansi. Lapse of time, coupled with the increas¬ 
ing influence of Vishnuism and the existence of the name 
of ‘ Krishna ' amongst their ancestors, appear to have had 
the ‘ garur' (symbolic of thejadubans) substituted for 
the ferocious lion. This substitution seems to have ori¬ 
ginated the idea of ranging the Rathores under the cate¬ 
gory of Jadubans ^ ^ft. 

(ii) There is no such clan as '■ Rath ’ TZ, Rashtra 

or Rathore ^3^ in the Jadubans ramifications. 

(iii) Moreover, it is abundantly proved by the 
tambapatras of Sambat 1083 and 1126 that Jadus and the 
Rathores intermarried. Had they been of the same 
bans no such intermarriage would have taken place. 

6 . Some doubts have been entertained regarding 

the identification of the Gadhwal 
identification of - Gadhw * ls clan with the Rathores, but evi- 
dence is not wanting to show 
that Rathore is another name for Gadhwal, as is 
Sisodiyas for Gohels, Hadas for Deoras, Khichis for 
Sonigaras, and Bhatis for Jadus. 

7. Chandra Deo, the first King of Kanouj and 
an ancestor of Jai Chand, had two sons : (1) Madan Pal, 
who succeeded to his father’s throne; and (2) Vighrah 
Pal, who got in jagir, Badaon near Kanouj. A stone 


iv 


INTRODUCTION 


inscription in the Badaon fort recording the family 
genealogical tree, describes them by the name of Rash- 
tra-kuts 

8. From the tambapatrcis granted by the Kanouj 
Kings, their clan is described as Gadhw&l, and from the 
pedigree of Badaon Chiefs, Chandra Deo, the common 
ancestor, is styled Rashtra-kut TTST ^3- Hence it can 
be safely inferred, that Gadhwal and Rathore are one 
and the same. 

9. This view is further borne out by the fact that 
some of the GadhwMs who emigrated towards Northern 
India, after the dismemberment of the Rathore Kanouj 
kingdom, still style themselves Rathores. 

10. Besides, the Gadhw^ls and the Rathores do not 
intermarry, which in itself is a strong evidence of their 
consanguinity. 

11. The earliest mention we can find of the Rathores, 

is in the Asoka edicts in the Deccan. 

Earliest reference of p r0 m this it appears that the 

Rashtrik ( Rathore ) clan held some 
authority in the Deccan during that period. With the 
exception of this solitary mention, no further authentic 
trace of Rathore supremacy can be found, till the reign of 
Abhimaniya, who flourished in the fifth century of the 
Vikram era. From the pedigree traceable by the tamba - 
patra of his reign, it appears that he was fourth in descent 


INTRODUCTION 


to M&nang, which shows that his ancestors had Wielded 


power almost throughout the fifth century. 

12. After the time of Abhimaniya, no reliable 
account of the Rathore kingdom is forthcoming, till we 
come down to Sambat 650, from when, in an unbroken 
succession, we can trace the different generations of the 
Rathore Rulers of the Deccan. 

Dantiwarma (i) 

Deccan Rulers, Sambat 650 Indra Raj (2) 

—1030. | 


Gobind Raj (3) 
Kark Raj (4) 


Indra Raj (5) 
Daqti Durg (6) 


Krishna Raj (7) 


I, 

Gobind Raj II (8) 
Sambat 740. 


Dhrava Raj (9) 


Gobind Raj III (10) 


Indra Raj 
(Gujrat). 


851—865. 

Amoghwarsh I (11) 



Krishna Raj II (12) 
932—968. 

Jugtung. 


Indra Raj III (13) 

971—973- 


Amoghwarsh III .(16) 


Amoghwarsh II (14) Gobind Raj IV (15) 

976-990. 


Krishna Raj III (17) Jugtung. 


Khotig (18) Niropam 
1028 


Kark Raj (19) 


or 

Amoghwarsh IV 
1029 or 1030. 











VI 


INTRODUCTION 


13. Their offshoots have supplied ruling dynasties 
in Gujrat and the Central Provinces. 

14. There have been two lines of Gujrat Rulers of 

the Rathcre clan, one descended 

Gujrat Rulers. 

from Kark Raj and the other from 
Indra Raj. The Antroli tambapatra (Sambat 804) gives 
the following genealogy :— 

Kark Raj (Deccan Ruler). 

Dhrava Raj. 

Gobind Raj. 

I 

Kark Raj II (Ruler of Gujrat). 

This terminates here. The other line founded by 
Indra Raj, son of Dhrava Raj, runs as follows :— 

Dhrava Raj (Ruler of the Deccan), 

I 


Gobind Raj III. Indra Raj (i) 

(Gujrat). 

. > _ I 


Kark Raj (2) Gobind Raj. 

Dhrava Raj (3) 

I 

Akalwarsh. 

J 


Dhrava Raj II. Dantiwarma. Gobind Raj. 

15. An inscription of the Rathore King Nanda Raja, 

Rulers of the Central dated Sambat 766, gives his pedigree 
rovinces - as follows 

Durg Raja. 

I 

Gobind Raja. 


Swamika Raja. 
Nanda Raja. 





INTRODUCTION 


vii 


16. It would appear from the genealogical tree of 
the Deccan Rathores, that Dantiwarma (the sixth Ruler) 
was also called Danti Durg, and the ancestor of the 
Central Provinces family called Durg Raja, might be an 
abbreviation of Danti Durg. 

17* A stone inscription found in the town of 
Hathundi, shows that the following 

Rulers of Hathundi (Mar- -r» 1 • • t 11 

war). Rathore Rajas successivly ruled 

over it :— 

Hariwarma. 

I 

Vidag Dharaja (Sambat 973). 

I 

Mammata (Sambat 996). 

I 

Dhavala (Sambat 1053). 

Bala Prashada. 

18. Dhavala is said to have helped the Meywar 
Chief against its enemy Raja Munja. 

19. When the Rathore kingdom in the Deccan 

broke up, the Rathores seem to 

Emigration to Kanouj. 

have been driven towards Kanouj, 
where their descendants, after remaining in obscurity for 
about a quarter of a century, seem to have succeeded in 
carving out a new kingdom, or it may be that some of the 
remnants of collateral offshoots left by Krishna Raj III, 
whose kingdom extended beyond the Ganges, might have 
supplied Rulers to the Kanouj kingdom. From the 


viii 


INTRODUCTION 


tambapatra given by the Rathore Kings of Kanouj, 
their genealogical tree is deduced as follows :— 

Yasho Vjghrah (i) 

Mahi Chandra (2) 

Chandra Deo (3) 

f 1 

Madan Pal (4) Vighrah Pal. 

Gobind Chandra (5) 

Vijai Chandra (6) 

Jai Chand (7) 

Harish Chandra. 


A' stone inscription recording the genealogy of 
Vighrah Pal, is found in the ruins of the old fort of Badaon 
to which reference has already been made in para. 7. 

Chandra Deo. 

I 

Vighrah Pal. 

I 

Bhuwan Pal. 

I 

Gopal. 

1 " r '1 

Tribhuvan Pal. Madan Pal. Deo Pal. 

•. - . I 

Bhim Pal. 

I 

Soor Pal. 

__J__ 

r '1 

Amrit Pal. Lekhan Pal. 

20. That Jai Chand’s ancestors were the descen¬ 
dants of the Deccan Rathore Rulers, is clearly borne 
out by the fact of Dhuhadji (another descendant of Jai 
Chand) having brought the idol of their family goddess 
which was established at Nagana (in Pachbhadra). 




X 


INTRODUCTION 


25. The following is the genealogy from Sioji 

GENEALOGICAL TREE OF THE RATHORE RULING FAMILY. 


RAO SlOJI (grandson of the last king of Kanouj 
—Jaichand, who settled at Pali). 

Rao Asthanj'i (conquered Kher from 
the Gohel Rajputs). 

II . 

Rao Duharji. 

Rao Rai Palji. 

II 

Rao Kan Palji. 

II 

Rao Chhadaji. 

II 

Rao Tidaji. 

II 

Rao Salkhaji. 


f 


Maleenathji 
(Foundei of 
Malanee). 


Rao Beeramji. 

II 

Rao Choondaji, A.D. 1395. (In 
ilandore, acquired from the Parihar 
Rajputs by marriage.) 

II 

Rao Rirh Malji. 


r 

Kurnoji 
( Kurnot ) 
Bagawas. 
Samdari. 


Pataji Roopaji Rao Jodhaji, A. D. 1459. Champaji 

(Patawat) (Roopawat) (Founder of Jodha (Champawat) 

Ahu. Chakhu. family and had Pokaran, 

14 sons.) Awa. 


- 71 .. 

Kumpaji Jaitaji 

(Kumpavvat) (Jaitawat) 

Asop, Chandawal. Bagri. 


( - 

Bikaji 

(Founder of 
Bikanir). 


Kaisodasji 

(Jhabwa.) 


Rao Satalji (killed 
at Pipar). 

II 

Rao Soojaji (his son 
Baghji died in his 
father’s life¬ 
time). 


Doodaji (Mertia) 
Ghanerao, Rian, 
Kuchawan. 


Kurmsiji 
( Kurmsot ) 
Kheonsar. 


Rao Gangaji. 

|| 

Rao Maldeoji, A.D. 1531 (held 
more territory than any 
other Marwar Chief). 

II 

Rao Chandersen, A.D. 1562. (From 
A.D. 1565—83 AUbar 
held Jodhpur.) 

II 

Raja Udey Singh, A.D. 1583. (Received 
title of Raja from AUbar and added 
“ Singh ” to his name.) 


F 


Udaji (Founder 
of Udawat, 
Ras, Nimaj, 
Raipur), 


f 

'T"~ 


Kishen Singhji 
(Kishengarh.) 


Raja Soor Singhji, A.D. 1594. Ratan Singhji 
(Conquered Gujrat and the (Rutlam.) 

Deccan for Akbar.) 

II 

Raja Gaj Singhji, A.D. 1619. 

Maharaja Jaswant Singhji, A.D. 1637. 

(First Maharaja, served with 
distinction in Afghanistan, 
died at Peshawar.) 

Maharaja Ajeet Singhji, A.D, 1678. 

(Drove Moghals out of Ajmere, 
was murdered by his sons.) 


Kaisodasji 

(Sitamow.) 


Maharaja Abhai Singhji, 

A.D, 1724. (Took 
Ahmedabad.) 

II 

Maharaja Ram Singhji, 1748. 

(Called in the Mahrattas.) 

II 

Maharaja Bakht Singhji, A.D. 1751. 

(Ceded Ajmere to tha Mahrattas.) 

II 

Maharaja Bijai Singhji, A.D. 1753. (A 
model administrator, recovered 
Ajmere temporarily, 
took Godwarfrom 
Meywar and also 
Umarkot.) 

II 

Maharaja Bhim Singhji, 

A.D. 1792. 

Maharaja Man Singhji, A.D. 1804. (Priest-ridden, 
entered into relations with British Government. 
Succession opposed by Phokal Singh.) 

Maharaja Takht Singhji, A.D. 1843. 

Maharaja Jaswant Singhji, A.D. 1873. 

Maharaja Sardar Singhji, A.D. 1895. 


V 1 

Anand Singh 
(Founder of Idar and 
Ahmednagar), 


(V.B.—Double lines show the Rulers of Jodhpur. 






















INTRODUCTION 


XI 


26. In conclusion, it maybe stated that Colonel 
Todd’s theories are founded on books, supplied by local 
Jatis and Rajas ; but their accuracy is not borne out by any 
inscriptions, which have been brought to light by recent 
researches ; whereas the conclusions, drawn in the body 
of the note, are entirely based on various inscriptions, 
traced in different parts of the country, the authenticity 
of which is not open to any objection. The thanks of 
the undersigned are due to Pandit Gauri Shanker Ojha, 
to whom is due the sole credit of supplying the valuable 
material on which this note has been drawn. 

The copper-plates referred to in the note will be issu¬ 
ed in the second part. 


PUNDIT SUKHDEO, b.a. 






THE RATHORES, 

THEIR 

ORIGIN AND GROWTH. 


The word u Rathore ” is a corrupted form of “ Rath- 
ur” as C-hitor is of Chat-ur, the former 
“Rathore.” being derived from Rashtra-kut, a 

word we see in various inscriptions 
found in Bengal, the N -W. Provinces, Rajputana, Malwa, 
Gujrat, the Central Provinces, and the Deccan, as also 
in the Sanskrit books and the horoscopes of the seven¬ 
teenth century. 


In a well near Ghosundi, a village in Meywar, there 
is a stone inscription giving a brief account of Rao Rirh 
Mai and Jodhaji, who are denominated Rashtra-wairiya 
or Rashtra-kut, both being taken as synonymous terms. 
It, however, appears that in course of time, Rashtra- 
wairiya successively passed through the following 
phases : Rathwar Rath-war Rathur 

Rath-ur Rathor , and then ultimately into Rathore. 


In one of the tambapatras produced by a Mahajan 
Panch of Nadole, Rashtror is said to be the clan of Alan, 
father of Raja Kirti Pal, who flourished in Satnbat 1218. 


( 2 ) 

The word Rashtra in “Amarkosh” means desk 
(country) or ruler. From ancient inscriptions it ap¬ 
pears that a Kshatriya clan, named Rashtra or Rashtrik, 
flourished in the remote period, of which, unfortunately, 
no history has been handed over to us. During the 
reign of Asoka, the Rashtrik clan seems to have held 
some authority in the Deccan, as appears from the 
famous edicts of that King in that part of the empire. 
The country originally called Maharashtra, had taken 
the name after the Rashtrik Rajas, who settled there and 
who added a prefix maha , simply to express their great¬ 
ness. These facts are borne out by the inscriptions found 
at Bhaja, Bersa, Karli, and Nanu Ghat. 

The country previously called Sorashtra # (Kathia¬ 
war) and that lying between the Mahanadi and the Nar¬ 
bada called (Lath) (L and R being interchangeable in 
old Sanskrit), and the part of Central India where Ali- 
pore and Jhabwa now are (then called Rath) seem to 
have been occupied by the Rashtriks. 

The names of the countries have generally been 
called after the name of the predominant clan who settled 
there, such as Baghelkhund, after the Baghelas; Bundel- 
khund, after the Bundelas ; Rohilkhund, after the Rohil- 
las ; Rajputana, after the Rajputs. Similarly, Maharashtra 
is called after the Rashtras. 

In the tambapatras of the Deccan Rathores, the 
words “Rath Raja” and “ Rathabans” are frequently 
found. 


* Note.— Snrashtra (the best of the Rashtrik counties'), as it ex¬ 
tended on the shores of the seas and formed a good port. “Rut” means 
summit, or the best. Thus the word w Rashtra-kut” means the best of the 
Rashtras. 



( 3 ) 


In Sambat 1030 Tailap, the Raja of Chalukiya 
dynasty annihilated the kingdom of the Deccan Rathores 
and some 300 years after, the sprinkling of Rathore 
Sardars could be found in Belgaon. In the inscriptions 
which can be still found there, these personages call 
themselves “ Rathbansi.” 

The origin of the word “ Rathore” is, that one Kshat- 
riya held firm belief in a goddess Rashtra Sainiya 
by name. He worshipped her with such a zeal and 
devotion, that the goddess was at last pleased with him. 
It is also related that Vindia Biasni Devi produced Rash¬ 
tra Sainiya Devi out of herself, and ordered her to protect 
this clan in the form of a falcon, and this accounts for the 
presence of the two falcons on the scutcheon of Jodhpur. 
There is a temple dedicated to this goddess on the top of 
a hill in Meywar near Eklingji’s Mundir, which is be¬ 
lieved to be the family goddess of the Rathores. It 
finds support in the tradition, that the goddess had im¬ 
pressed upon the minds of her believers the necessity 
of daily throwing meat to the kites from the fort—a 
custom which prevailed till the reign of Maharaja Takht 
Singh, the presence of the kites being considered as a 
sign of her vigilant protection. 

Of all the tambapatras issued by Rajas of the Rathore 
clan, there is none so old as that of Raja Abhimaniya, 
which is dated so far back as Sambat 500. There is a 
seal inscribed on it in which a goddess riding on a lion 
is represented. This also affords a strong ground for 
the original Rathores to be the Devi Upashak. 

Whether the Rathores are Surajbansi or Chandra- 
bansi, is a question which has long been disputed. 


( 4 ) 


In the tambapatras anterior to Sambat 975, all 
the Rajas are described as Rashtra-kut without any re¬ 
ference to their being of the Lunar or the Solar dynasty ; 
but in the six tambapatras bearing dates between Sambat 
980 and Sambat 1068, they are described as Jadubansi. 
In a book called “ Kavirasha,” by Pandit Haliad of the 
Deccan, who flourished during the reign of Rathore 
Krishna Raj whose praise is sung in the book, the latter 
is described as belonging to Chandrabansi clan ; while, on 
the other hand, in the tambapatras issued prior to Raja Jai 
Chand of Kanouj, whose ancestors seem to have emi¬ 
grated from the Deccan, the Rathores are described as 
Gadhwal * Surajbansi. 

The question now to decide is, which of the two 
views can be taken to be the correct one. 

In the tambapatras of Abhimaniya, reference 
to which has already been made, the goddess is repre¬ 
sented on the lion ; but in the subsequent taniba- 
patras , she is represented on a gzrur , which is 
a typical emblem of the Jadus. This question seems 
to have attracted the attention of the Asiatic Society of 
Bombay. It is discussed at some length in Vol. XVI by 
Pandit Bhagwan Lai. He is of opinion, that the gentle 
bird was substituted for the ferocious lion by the people 
themselves, for— 

(a) They might have forgotten their origin after 
the lapse of such a long time. 

(1 b) Surroundings or circumstances might have 
turned their beliefs to Bishnoite religion. 
In support of his theory he says, that in 

* Note. —Gadhwal and Rathores are two different names for one 
and the same clan, such as Sisoaiya and Gohel; Hada and Deora ; Khichi 
and Son’gara. 



( 5 ) 


the category of Jadubans clans, no such 
clan as Rath, Rashtra or Rathore can be 
found. 

Moreover, from some of the tambapatras , it ap¬ 
pears that Rathores and Jadus intermarried with each 
other, e.g. % — 

(a) In the tambapatra of Sambat 10S3 of Jadu 

Raja Bhilam I., it is stated that his grand¬ 
father was married to a Rathore girl, 
Lakshmi Bai. 

(b) In the tambapatra of Sambat 1126 of Jadu 

Bhilam II., it is stated that he was married 
to Lachhi, daughter of Jungle Rashtra-kut. 

As intermarriage amongst the Hindus is not per¬ 
missible in the same clan, this fact alone affords sufficient 
ground for discrediting the Jadu theory of the Rathore 
origin. The later tambapatras cannot consequently be held 
reliable, and the Rathores belong, as they originally did, 
to the Solar dynasty. 

The exact date of the emigration of the Rathores 
from north to south, cannot be traced with precision, 
but as has already been said, they flourished in the 
Deccan during the reign of Asoka. 

From the tambapatra of Abhimaniya, the following 
genealogical tree is deduced :— 

Manang. 

! 

Deo Raj. 

Bhawish. 


Abhimaniya. 


( 6 ) 


Abhimaniya used to live in Manpur, which seems 
to be another name for “ Maniya Khet,” where the 
Rathores held sovereignty. This tambapatra further 
shews that Rajas of Kot or Kod flourished in about Sam- 
bat 500, but no inkling of them could be found after the 
sixth century, except in an inscription on a column of the 
Allahabad fort, which runs thus :— 

“ Samadar Gupt had punished in Patna (Pushp-pur) 
the Raja of Kot clan.” 

From another inscription found in Someshwar temple, 
near the village Yebur in the Deccan in which an account 
of the Solankhi Rajas is given, it appears that Jai Singh 
Chalukiya defeated Indra, son of Krishna Rashtra-kut, 
who had Soo elephants in his army and routed 500 other 
chiefs, and thus restored the sovereignty of theChalukiyas. 

Such a description, given in the tambapatras , of a 
rival chief, can lead us to form an idea of the greatness 
of theRathore Raj in the fifth century of the Vikram era. 

In the Deccan Rashtra-kut tambapatras , the genea¬ 
logy of Gobind Raj, is found. In the inscription of “ Dasa 
Outar ” the names of Dantiwarma and Indra Raj also 
occur. Near village Aholai (jn Kalargi) there is an 
inscription in a Jain temple (Sambat 691), which shews 
that Gobind Raj assisted by Apiyaig, invaded Raja 
Pulkeshi II., of the Chalukiya clan. Apiyaig, however, fled 
away; and Gobind Raj joined hands with Pulkeshi II. 
This indirectly shews, that the Rathores wielded some 
power at this time and that Gobind Raj was a contem¬ 
porary of Pulkeshi. Dantiwarma, the grandfather of 
Gobind Raj, might have flourished before Sambat 650. 

Kark Raj succeeded his father. He was a gener¬ 
ous prince and made a good manyjy^. He had three 


( 7 ) 

sons, viz,, Indra Raj, Dhrava Raj and Krishna Raj, of 
whom the eldest succeeded him. His wife was a lady of 
the Chalukiya family. His son Danti Durg or Dantiwarma 
or Vairmeg, was a warrior of renown. From the reign 
of Indra Raj I. to that of Indra Raj II., the stars of the 


THE DECCAN RATHORE RULERS. 


( - 

Indra Raj II. (5) 

I 

Danti Durg (6) 
Dantiwarma. 
Vairmeg Balabh, 
Sambat 710. 


Dantiwarma (1) 

Indra Raj (2) 

Gobind Raj I (3) 

Kark Raj (4) ^Kaka Raj). 


Dhrava Raj Krishna Raj I. (7) 

I 

r---) 

Gobind Dhrava Raj (9) 

Raj II. (8) Dhor. 

Niropam. 

Kali Balabh. 
Dharawarsh. 


Gobind Raj III. (10) 

Indra Raj 

Parbhutwarsh 

(Raja of Lath 

Jugtung, 851, 861, 865. 

Jugat Rudhra and Balabh or Balabh Narendra. 

or Gujrat). 


Sharwa 

Durlabh, 

Amoghwarsh I. (tl) 
Sikand 872—932. 
Bir Narain. 
Niriptung Balabh. 

I 

Krishna Raj II. (12) 
Akalwarsh. 

Kannar. 

Jugtung. 


Indra Raj III. (13) Amoghwarsh III. Badhig (16). 

Nitiyawarsh. 

Rath Kandarp (971— 973 ). ( i " j ) 

Kirti Narain. Krishna Raj III. 117) Jugtung. Khotig (18) Niropam. 

Akalwarsh 997, Nitiyawarsh, | 

1002, 1008, 1013, 1028. Kakul. 

1016. | 

Amoghwarsh IV. (19) 
1027, 1029, 

f ~ ^ 1030. 

Amoghwarsh II. (14) Gobind Raj II. (15) 

Sah Sank. 

Subarnwarsh, 976, 986, 989. 


Rathores, were in descendance, but Danti Durg by 












( 8 ) 


force of arms, not only regained what was lost, but con¬ 
quered good many countries. In the tavibapatra of 
Sambat 710, it is stated that he conquered the territory 
lying between the Mahi and the Narbada which was 
called “ Lath Desh,” and after routing Raj Balabh, he 
assumed the title of Raja Dhiraj and Parmeshwar. He 
also defeated the Chiefs of Kansi, Kiral, Chola and 
Pandiya, as “ also Shri Harsh and Bajarat of Karnatic. 
He was called “ Ajai = Invincible.” This is confirmed 
by the “Dasa Outar ” inscription as well. 

No tambapatra after Jebhut IIP, Raja of Gujrat 
(Lath Desh), can be traced which may lead one to sup¬ 
pose that the country must have been conquered by 
Danti Durg in the time of Jebhut III. From a tamba - 
patra of Sambat 804, found in Antroli village, it appears 
that Danti Durg’s cousin, Kark Raj, was the Raja of 
Gujrat. It further shews that Lath Desh was conquered 
during the period intervening between Sambat 791 and 
804. 


The tambapatra of Samandgarh, shews that the 
strong army of Balabh* and Karnatic, # which had inflict¬ 
ed a signal defeat on the Rathores, was routed by 
Danti Durg, who to wreak the family vengeance also 
appropriated the title of Balabh. It is worthy of note, 
that this title has been assumed by the various Rathore 
Rajas, who succeeded Danti Durg as an hereditary ap¬ 
pellation. The Arab travellers who came in the 10th 
century of the Vikram era, have contorted it into Balhara. 
In the danpatra awarded by Rani Bai Mahadevi, wife 
of Raja Chandra Deh Chalukiya, Pulkeshi is said to 

* Balabh is identified to be the title of Chalukiya Rajas, and Karnatic to be the 
country under the Chalukiya Rajas. 



( 9 ) 

have conquered all the Rajas of northern country and 
taken the title of Parmeshwar. 

The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsiang, who in 629- 
645 A.D. traversed the length and breadth of India, 
writes in his account to have witnessed the interview of 
Rajas Pulkeshi and Shri Harsh Bardhan. The Raja 
of Maharashtra is a Kshatriya, Pulkeshi by name, and 
that Harsh Bardhan is conquering the country from 
east to west, and that he has routed and conquered 
many a chief, to whom he is a terror ; but the Maharash¬ 
tra remains unsubdued. It also shows, that both the 
Rajas met in the field, but Harsh Bardhan could not 
withstand the resistance offered by the Maharashtra 
Raja. The Pulkeshi army is thus described :—• 

“ It consists of many brave indomitable warriors 
who get themselves drunk, and even in that condition 
one of them is quite sufficient to throw confusion in an 
army of 10,000.” This account corroborates the descrip¬ 
tion given in the tambapatra of Samandgarh. 

It further appears that the army which was defeated 
by Danti Durg, was the same army of the Chalukiya 
Rajas, descendants of Pulkeshi, and which} was described 
as invincible. 

From another tambapatra found in Samandgarh (Sam- 
bat 8 to) and the danpatra of Kirtiwarma II., in Sambat 
804, it appears that Danti Durg and Chalukiya Kirti¬ 
warma 11. were contemporaries ; moreover, in the inscrip¬ 
tion of Yebur (referred to above), it is expressly mentioned 
that Chalukiya rule came to an end during the reign of 
Kirtiwarma, son of Vikramajit. These facts lead us to 
believe that Karnatic was conquered some time between 
Sambat 804 and 8io. It is said to have been under the 


B 


( 10 ) 


Rathore sovereignty for about 225 years, i.e ., till 1030, 
when it was recovered by Raja Tailap, a descendant of 
Kirtiwarma, from the Rathore Kakul, a descendant of 
Danti Durg. 

The authority of Danti Durg extended from the 
northern portion of Gujrat and Malwa to the Deccan and 
Rameshwar. 


KRISHNA RAJ I. 

After his death, his uncle Krishna Raj, ascended the 
throne, as appears from the inscriptions of Kaveri and 
Nowsari. From the Kaveri inscription, it appears 
that Danti Durg died childless, and so was succeeded 
by his uncle. He has been known by various names, 
such as Shubtung, Akalwarsh and Kaneshwar. In a 
tambapatra of Sambat 869, found in Baroda, it is men¬ 
tioned that Krishna Raj, under the pretence of saving his 
clan from ignominy, annihilated one of the Rajas and his 
family, whom he had falsely accused of misbehaviour. 
To ascertain who this Raja was, we have to refer to the 
genealogical tree quoted from Kark Raj tambapatra 
given below :— 

Patwi genealogical tree (as quoted in Kark Raj tambapatra). 

Gobind Raj (I), 

1 

Kark Raj. 

Chalukiya Rajas. C~ j ' 

India Raj (IIj, Dhrava Raj. Krishan Raj (I). 

Govind Raj. 

Kark Raj. 

From this it appears, that the only claimant to the 
throne was Kark Raj, Raja of Gujrat, whose removal 




( II ) 


under a false charge was secured by Krishna Raj, to make 
himself the undisputed master of the kingdom. 

This supposition is supported by the fact that after 
Kark Raj, no Rathore Raja is said to have occupied the 
Gujrat gaddi. 

From a tambapatra found in Patan, it appears 
that Krishna Raj subdued a Raja of Rahat. His 
prowess was so great, that he killed wild boars* like 
deer. 


From the Chalukiya tambapatras found in Radhan- 
pur and Bani, the same fact is confirmed. It is stated, 
that he utterly routed the Chalukiya princes and plunder¬ 
ed the country. Krishna Raj was a Shevite and con¬ 
structed many a temple after that god. The Kailas temple 
in Ellora was constructed by him, whose architecture 
and design have been described in the tambapatra of 
Baroda. This tambapatra does not make any mention 
of Indra Raj and Danti Durg, but shews that Krishna 
Raj succeeded Kark Raj directly. This, however, can¬ 
not contradict our assumption, as it has often been observ¬ 
ed that when a younger brother succeeds on the gaddi, 
the names of the elder brother and his descendants are 
omitted. Succession is shewn to be direct from the 
common ancestor, a parallel of which is found in the 
Baroda danpaira . 


* NOTE. —Wild pig is meant for any Chalukiya prince for tworeasons: — 

(1) In the Chalukiya tambapatra seals, wild pig is represented in 

their scutcheon. 

(2) The Chalukiyas believed the boars to have been sent by God 

as their protectors. 



( 12 ) 


GOBIND RAJ II. 

He had two other names, Akalwarsh and Balabh. 
In the tambapatra found in Baroda, it is stated that 
Gobind Raj lived a life of luxury and did not pay any 
attention towards the Raj, and consigned all administra¬ 
tive powers to his younger brother Dhrava Raj. From 
the Patan tambapatra it appears, that when Dhrava Raj 
got a firm hold on the Empire, Gobind Raj Balabh 
sought the protection of the neighbouring chiefs, such 
as Malwa and Kanchi, who sent armies to his assistance ; 
but they were all routed by Dhrava Raj and he conse¬ 
quently proclaimed himself as the Raja. 

To ascertain the period, we have to refer to “ Hari 
Bans Puran ” of the Jains, compiled by Jinsena Charya, 
in Sambat 840, in which it is stated that in the north, Raja 
Indra Uda, and in the south Krishna Raj’s son Balabh, 
ruled and in the east Raja of Awanti, From this, we 
can safely conclude, that Gobind Raj ruled till Sambat 840, 
but from a danpatra of Gobind Raj III., dated Sambat 851, 
found at Patan, it appears that Dhrava Raj, who came 
between the two, must have seized the throne between 
Sambat 840 and 851. 


DHRAVA RAJ. 

From the tambapatra found at Radhanpur, it appears 
that he defeated Bachh Raj * who had conquered the Ghor 

* Note. —Bachh Raj may mean either Raja of Bachh Desh, i.e., Kosal Desh, 
near Allahabad, or it may mean that Bachh Raj who was the Raja of Bhinmal at the 
time. 




( 13 ) 

Raja and had seized two chhatras (big umbrellas) from 
the Ghors. The latter fled to Marwar. 

He also seized the umbrellas of the Rajas of Kosal 
Desh and those ruling in the northern part of the 
Empire, and subdued the Raja of Konjewaram, from 
whom he took the tribute of elephants and imprisoned 
Ganga Bansi Raja. There is every reason to believe, 
that Dhrava Raj’s rule extended from Rameshwar to 
Ayodhiya, i.e., half of the Indian Empire was under his 
sovereignty. 

From the tambapatra found at Kaparvanj, it appears 
that Dhrava Raj had many sons. During his lifetime, he 
made the eldest, the ruler of Kanchi Desh and the territory 
adjoining the sea-shore, from Konkan to Khan Bad ; 
Dhrava Raj wished to make Gobind Raj the ruler of all 
his territory (but he himself did not consent to it), and 
the second son Indra Raj was made the Raja of Lath; but 
the estates granted to his other sons, are not known. In 
Hathundi Nagri (in Marwar) and in village Dhanop 
(Shahpura), the Rathore inscriptions are usually found 
and they may be under the sovereignty of one of his 
sons; but nothing definitely is known. 


GOBIND RAJ III. 

He succeeded his father. During his father’s life¬ 
time, he was a popular warrior prince, inasmuch as 
that he was made an independent ruler of a part of a 
territory. Once when his father was besieged by a 
number of invading chiefs, Gobind Raj routed them all 
(vide tambapatra found in Kavi). 



( 14 ) 


During his reign, the Rathores flourished. It is 
stated in the tambapatra of Radhanpur and Bani, that the 
Rathores were invincible during his reign, as Jadus were 
during that of Krishna. Twelve Rajas attacked the 
Empire so as to annihilate the Rathores; but he dispersed 
them one and all. He set at liberty Ganga Bansi Raja 
who was captured by his father; but the former raised the 
standard of rebellion as soon as he reached home and 
returned with an army assisted by other chiefs, but again 
he was captured and imprisoned. After this, he con¬ 
quered Gurjeshwar (Raja of Gujrat) and invaded Malwa. 
The Raja of that place unconditionally surrendered him¬ 
self. Thence he proceeded to Vindhiyachal; the Raja of 
the place also surrendered himself and presented all his 
treasure ; thence he proceeded to Shri Bhuvan (in Broach) 
where he encamped for four months ; thence he directed 
his attention towards the Tungbhadra river, where he 
succeeded in bringing into submission Palao Raja. The 
Raja of Bengi Desh delivered himself up ; he seems to be 
Bijai Dat Chalukiya Raja of the place, who ruled from 
Sambat 851 to 899 as appears from the lekh and 
danpatras of eastern Chalukiya Rajas. From a tambapatra 
found at Radhanpur, Gobind Raj is said to have defeated 
many Rajas. 

From another tambapatra it appears, that Gobind 
Raj after conquering Danti, Raja of Kanchi, he went to 
the Tungbhadra and thence proceeded to Rameshwar 
where he hunted wild boars, and after performing the 
pilgrimage, he confirmed the charitable grant of land 
made by Karkwarma by the award of another tambapatra 
to Sheodhari. 

In a tambapatra of Rathore Raja, Kark Raj of 
Gujrat, it is stated that Indra Raj, leagued in a conspiracy 


( 15 ) 


against his brother, with the leading Sardars of Gujrat, 
who were all anxious to assume independence, the con¬ 
sequence of which, however, was that his son Apod, 
could not curb the rising spirit of those powerful Sardars 
and lost the Raj. 

From the Rathore tambapatra , Gobind Raj seems 
to have flourished during Sambat 851 to 871, as appears 
also from the inscription of Shiror(in which Amoghwarsh 
is said to be in his 52nd year of reign in Sambat 823). 
He used to live in Miur Khand in Nasik. 


AMOGHWARSH I. 

(Ruled 63 years.) 

He succeeded his father while he was very young. 
But on attaining maturity, Amoghwarsh rescued the 
Rathores from the degradation to which they were being 
dragged, and extirpated the Chalukiya dynasty. This 
fact is compared with Hindu incarnation of Bara who 
brought out the earth from the water. 

Bijai Dat of Bengi Desh, who was subdued by 
Gobind Raj, might have, it is presumed, invaded the 
country to retaliate the invasion of Rathores and thus 
conquered them as appears from the tambapatra at 
Nowsari. 

Another tambapatra shews that Bijai Dat fought 108 
battles with the Rathores during 12 years with varying 
success, and in commemoration of the battles, he erected 
108 Shevite temples. Though Bijai Dat was a petty 
Raja, -yet on account of internal disunion, he succeeded 



( i6 ) 


in fighting so many battles with a stronger Chief. The 
tambapatra of Sambat 792 by Raja Dhrava Raj of Gujrat, 
states that the proud Rathore Chiefs of the Deccan had 
assumed independence in various provinces during the 
latter period of the reign of Gobind Raj ; Amoghwarsh 
had consequently to seek the aid of his uncle Kark Raj, 
Ruler of Gujrat. This circumstance, as well as the 
minority of Amoghwarsh, might have been taken ad¬ 
vantage of by his enemies. 

After the death of Kark Raj, his son Dhrava Raj did 
not pull on with Amoghwarsh who invaded his country 
and Dhrava Raj was killed in the battle-field {vide the 
tatnbapatra of Begamra, dated Sambat 924, in which it is 
stated that Dhrava Raj died of many wounds while trying 
to repulse the Balabh’s army when the country was made 
over to his son Akalwarsh). From the Baroda tamba • 
patra, it appears that Maniya Khet (Malkhera) in the 
dominions of the Nizam, was a big town, while the 
Bardha tambapatra shows that Amoghwarsh had by the 
additional splendour and magnificence, made it a rival 
city of Indrapuri. This town was and continued to be 
the capital for many succeeding generations. In the 
Kaveri Cave, three inscriptions of this Raja are found, 
dated Sambat 900, 910 and 934. These lead us to be¬ 
lieve, that the whole of the Konkan country was awarded 
by Amoghwarsh to his noble Pulshakti, son of Kabardi 
of Silara family. 

The Jain religious book “Mahapuran” in its volume 
named “ Outar Khand,” describes Amoghwarsh as a 
staunch follower of Jinshed Suriya. He is said to 
have shewn great respect for Jain Achariyas and to have 
encouraged the compilation of many Jain religious books. 


( i7 ) 


Another granth “ Parshera Chende ” was compiled by 
the same author, Jinshed Suriya, who styles himself 
as the priest of Amoghwarsh. In the granth “ Sar 
Sanghrah ” of'astromony, Amoghwarsh is styled 3 s the 
promoter of the Jain religion. The “ Jai Dhola ”granth of 
Degambar Sampordha was compiled in 894, in which 
reference of the ruling prince Amoghwarsh is made. 
Amoghwarsh had great regard for learned men, as he 
was himself a literary man. He compiled “ Parsonatar 
Malika” of 32 couplets. The Brahmans, however, believe 
it to be compiled by Sankra Chariya and the Swetambris 
ascribe its authorship to. Bimla Chariya. In the library 
of the Degambaris, a book is found in which it is stated 
that he compiled “ Ratan Mai.” This authority receives 
confirmation from the Tibetese translation of the book 
made by the Budh pilgrim of that place, who came 
to India and ascribed its authorship to Amoghwarsh. 
Though there have been four rulers by the name of 
Amoghwarsh, but as no other has ruled for such a long 
period, nor has retired from the worldly affairs in 
old age, as this Raja has done, the authorship of the 
book may safely be ascribed to him. Amoghwarsh ruled 
for 63 years, and after that he left the kingdom and spent 
the rest of his life in the forest as a devoted hermit. 
This fact “ Ratan Mai” fully corroborates. 

From the Kaveri Cave inscription, it appears that 
Amoghwarsh was living in Sambat 934. In the iam~ 
bapatra of Prithvi Raj, dated Sambat 923, it is stated that 
the Ruler at the time was Krishna Raj. This, instead of 
contradicting the above presumption, adds strength to 
Amoghwarsh’s becoming a devotee, as is usually the 
case with Kshatriya princes who, when they become 
old, retire from worldly affairs, and take to hermitage. 


c 


( <8 ) 


KRISHNA RAJ II. 

In the tambapatra found at Bardha, it appears that 
be subdued the Rajas of Gujrat (Lath Desh), Ghors, 
the country on the sea-shore, Anthor, Kilang, Gang 
and Maghadh. This shews that his rule extended over 
Maghadh, a part of Bengal, Orissa and a part of Raj- 
putana and Gujrat. This is confirmed by the Jain granth 
44 Outar Puran ” in which it is stated that he possessed a 
large number of elephants. 

He w r as at the zenith of his power in Sambat 950. 
The tambapatra of Nowsari describes the battle of Krishna 
Raj with the Gurjars. The Chalukiya tambapatras shew, 
that Krishna Raj was defeated by Bijai Dat II. Chalukiya 
of Bengi Desh, who ruled from Sambat 901 to 945. The 
Rathore noble Ganga Bansi was subdued, Manji was 
beheaded, and the city of Krishna Raj was set on fire. ( Vide 
tambopatra of Bhim II., Chalukiya Raja of Bengi Desh.) 
After the death of Bijai Dat II. Krishna Raj regained the 
possession of his Empire. The same tambapatta further 
shews that Bengi Desh, which was conquered by Krishna 
Raj, was recovered by Druharjun, son of Vikram Dat, the 
younger brother of Bijai Dat. 

Amoghwarsh was bent upon annexing the Lath Desh 
and Ghor, where Rathore Rajas ruled; but he could not 
achieve this object, and it is just possible that Prithvi 
Raj, to fulfil the innermost desire of his father, might 
have invaded those principalities and annexed them. 

The tambapatra of Sambat 824, found in Gumra, shews 
that Dhrava Raj was besieged by a Gurjar army, and 
Amoghwarsh was at daggers drawn with him and his 


( 19 ) 


(Dharva Raj’s) relatives were not on good terms, while hiis 
younger brother Dantiwarma was intriguing against him ; 
yet in spite of all these, he succeeded by force of arms to 
crush all of them and restore peace in his principality. He 
was a very powerful prince, and won some territory which 
was divided amongst his followers. All this shews that 
Dhrava Raj must have been a renowned prince, who might 
have encroached upon the Rathore Raj in the Deccan. In 
another tambapatra of Sambat 967, found in Kaparvanj, it 
appears that Dholap, the General of Krishna Raj’s forces, 
killed the enemy, who had forcibly taken possession of 
Krishna Raj’s territory; and Krishna Raj granted the 
Gujrat estate to Dholap and other nobles. In Sambat 967, 
Dholap’s son Par Chand, ruled in Gujrat, and this date 
may approximately be taken to indicate the amalgamation 
of Gujrat with the Deccan. No other tambapatra , dated 
later than Sambat 810 about the Gujrat occupation by 
Rathores, can be traced. This is another evidence to cor¬ 
roborate the fact, that Krishna Raj did crush the Rathore 
Raj of Gujrat and establish his own principality. 

Krishna Raj was married to the daughter of Kakul 
Kulcheri (Haiharbansi), Raja of Cheri Desh. A son, 
named Jugtung, was born to the lady, who was married 
to his cousin Lakshmi, a daughter of his maternal uncle,* 
Ranvighrah. The outcome of this marriage was Indra. 
This is confirmed by the tambapatra of Nowsari and 
Sangli, but another tambapatra of Karra shews that the 
name of the maternal uncle, who married his daughter 
to Jugtung, was Shankergun. 

* Note.—T he matrimonial alliance with the maternaruncle’s daughter is permis¬ 
sible in the Deccan, Gujrat and Kathiawar, and allowed in “Smriti” and “Bhagwat.™ 

Pardam, son of Shri Krishna, and Aniradh, the great-grandson of Shri Krishna, 
were married to their maternal uncle’s daughters. Arjun was married to Shri 
Krishna’s (maternal uncle’s) sister. 



( 20 ) 

These facts, when viewed side by side, shew that 
;Shankergun and Ranvighrah might have been the name 
of one and the same individual. 

As Jugtung died in the lifetime of his father, Krishna 
Raj was succeeded by Indra Raj. 


- INDRA RAJ III. 

In the tambapatra awarded by this Raja, found in 
N owsari, it is written that he performed a great utasav 
fceremon}') in honour of his coronation at Karukand (in 
the Deccan), situated between the Kishna and the Punch 
Ganga rivers. He awarded in charity some 400 villages, 
including Karukand, in addition to the redemption of those 
villages which were made fiscal by the previous Raja, and 
20 lakh dirum (a golden coin) in hard cash. In Nowsari 
tambapatra, Tain and Gumbra villages (Lath Desk) are 
stated to have also been granted in charity ; this also 
shews that L&th Desh must have been made khaisa by 
his father. 

He was married to Bijaba or Amba, daughter of 
Agan Deo, grandfather of Kakul (referred to above). 

I. —In Sangli tambapatra Gobind Raj is said to have 
succeeded his father (Indra Raj', who was on good terms 
with his brother. This at least shews that there were 
two sons of Indra Raj. 

II. —In Bardha tambapatra , Indra Raj is said to have: 
been succeeded by Amoghwarsh II., who died shortly 
after his father. Amoghwarsh was succeeded by his. 



( 2 > ) 

brother, Gobind Raj II. The latter was succeeded by 
Amoghwarsh III., who was the son of Jugtung. Amogh* 
warsh III. was succeeded by Krishna Raj III. 

III.—-The Kherapatan and Bhera tambapatras shew : 

Indra Raj (III). 

*' I 

Amoghwarsh (II). 

I 

Gobind Raj (younger brother of Amoghwarsh) (II). 

I 

Badhig (son of Jugtung). 

I 

Krishna Raj III. 

When all these four tambapatras are viewed together, 
the genealogical tree would stand thus :— 

Krishna Raj II. 

Jugtung (died during his father’s lifetime). 

I 

r “ i 

Indra Raj III. Amoghwarsh III. or Badhig. 

I I 

r i . r i 

Amoghwarsh II. Gobind Raj II. Krishna Raj III. Khotig. 

The Karra tambapatra , however, gives the following 
details (from 12 to 16 verses) :— 

To Shankergun’s daughter, Lakshmi, married to 
Jugtung, Indra Raj was born (12th verse). Jugtung not 
remaining satisfied with the conquest of his father, 
thought of bringing other chiefs under his umbrella, i.e., 
of conquering and subduing them (13th verse). 

To Gobindawa, another daughter of Shankergun, 
another son, Amoghwarsh, was born (14th verse). The 
15th describes the various charities he made. The 16th 
shews that on the death of Krishna Raj, son of Amogh¬ 
warsh, his brother Khotig (who was born to Kandak 
Devi, sister of Jeo Raj,) ascended the throne. 





( 22 ) 

From this tambapatra, the genealogy would stand 


thus:— 


Krishna Raj. 


I 


Jugtung. 


Indra Raj 

(son of Shankergun’s daughter, 
Laxmi). 


Amoghwarsh 

(son of Shankergun’s daughter, 
Gobindawa). 


Krishna Raj. 


Khotig. 


This omits the names of Amoghwarsh and Gobind 
Raj, while three tambapatras referred to above shew that 
Amoghwarsh was a Raja, and four tambapatras afford 
evidence in favour of Gobind Raj. 

In presence of such a preponderating evidence, we 
can attach but little importance to the Karra tambapatras 
for many reasons :— 

(а) Gobindawa has never been heard to be the 

feminine name. 

( б ) The first parts of shlokcs (12th and 14th 

verses) are repetitions of one another. 

(c) Khotig’s account abruptly follows Krishna 

Raj’s. 

(d) This tambapatra if taken by itself alone, can- 

' 

not account for the intervening period. 

All these tend to prove, that some verses might have 
been inadvertently omitted, while they were being in¬ 
scribed, and some mistakes might thereby have crept in. 

If, however, the word “ Gobindawa ” be taken as a 
wrong collision of two words, “ Gobinda” and “Ama,” the 
following version can be given to the shloke which could 
then correspond with others. 




( 23 ) 

Amoghwarsh II. and Gobind Raj II. were the sons 
of Indra Raj, by Ania (name of a woman). In Sangli 
tambapatra Gobind Raj’s mother is named Bijanba, which 
is a compound of Bidiamba, and which would thus corres¬ 
pond with Ama. 


AMOGHWARSH II. 

According to the copper-plate of Bardha, Amogh¬ 
warsh died, as stated above, during the lifetime of his 
father ; but according to that of Bhera, he is said to have 
ruled one year. He was succeeded by his younger brother. 


GOBIND RAJ II. 

The copper-plate found at Sangli, shews that Gobind 
Raj did not betray any hostility towards his elder brother, 
although the former was powerful enough to destroy 
him; that he led a perfectly moral life, that he did shun 
the society of ladies and that for these unrivalled qualities 
he earned the title Sat Shank. An exaggerated praise 
like this, raises a strong presumption to the contrary, that 
he might have been at the bottom of affairs, which 
resulted in Amoghwarsh’s premature death, and that he 
might have lived a life of immorality. This belief finds 
some support from the tanibapatras of Bardha, which 
state that Gobind Raj lost his senses by an excessive 
indulgence in sensuality, which ultimately caused his 
death. This verse may also be interpreted in this way. 

The Raj lost its hold on the people for the vices 
which generally prevailed—which tantamounts to the 




( 24 ) 

political death of the ruler. The Bherapatan plate, how¬ 
ever, refutes the latter version. It removes every 
shadow of doubt which might have existed, as it explicitly 
shews that the Raja passed his days and nights in gorge¬ 
ous and gaudy show in the society of captivating ladies. 
The undue praise thus lavished on the prince, being 
found to be rather an hyperbolic and ironic version, the 
truth regarding a suspicion of the murder of Amoghwarsh, 
by Gobind Raj, cannot but be received with a certain 
amount of confidence. 

The Chalukiya tambapatras shew that Chalukiya 
Bhim succeeded in recovering the lost Bengi Desh, which 
was conquered by Krishna Raj. To win it back, Gobind 
Raj sent a force aided by Lobh Bikka, Raja of Chola 
dynasty, and Vudh Malika, but Bhim defied these com¬ 
bined forces and successfully drove them back. He was 
succeeded by 

BADHIG (AMOGHWARSH III.). 

The Bardha tambapatra\ says, that to save the 
tottering Empire from the imminent fall, the nobility set 
Amoghwarsh on the throne ; but according to Khera- 
patan tambapatra, Badhig, son of Jugtung, is stated to 
have succeeded his nephew, Gobind Raj. The same 
account is given in Bhera tambapatra. These facts lead 
us to believe that Amoghwarsh might have been the 
assumed title of that prince. This ruler according to 
Kherapatan and Bhera tambapatras is said to be a holy 
and mild, and at the same time brave prince. He 
was married to Kandak Devi, daughter of Jeo Raj, 
from whom a son was born, Khotig by name, who as¬ 
cended the throne after his brother Krishna Ray '[vide 
tambapatra of Karra).. 


( 25 ) 

He had foursons, Krishna Raj, Jugtung, Khotig and 
Neropam. It further appears probable that he ascended 
the throne in his old age, because he got it from his 
nephew. 

According to Sangli tambapatra , in Sambat 990 Go- 
bind Raj II. occupied the gaddi; the Bardha tambapatra 
shews that in Sambat 997, Krishna Raj, son of Amogh- 
warsh, was the Ruler. This leads us to believe that 
Amoghwarsh III. might have flourished between Sambat 
990—997. 


KRISHNA RAJ III. 

He had three titles, Kannar Deo, Akalwarsh and 
Balabh. He was a strong-bodied prince with a dark 
complexion and broad chest. He was a man possessed 
of a strong will and prepossessing appearance. The 
indomitable spirit and the force of arms which he pre¬ 
eminently possessed, brought into subjection many a 
prince, from the Himalaya to Ceylon, all of whom paid 
him homage and allegiance. The wonderful accounts 
of his exploits and conquests had stricken terror into the 
hearts of the rival chiefs, inasmuch as Kalinger, the 
Raja of Gujrat, who was aimed at invading Chitor, 
was dissuaded from the purpose. A slight disobedience 
of his orders rendered the offender liable to an exem¬ 
plary punishment. He destroyed Dantig and Bapug, 
who were a scourge to the people like Madan Ketu 
Rakshas. He killed Ganga Bansi Rachh Mai, gave 
over his kingdom to Bhutariya, punished Antig 
of Palaobans; and conquered all the petty Deccan 
principalities. To commemorate the memory of his dear 


D 



( 26 ) 


departed brother Jugtung, he gave in charity a village 
to Rishub, son of Bhayal, in Sambat 997, Baisakh Sudi 
5th {vide tambapatra of Maniya Khet). The Salutgi 
tambapatra also corroborates the account of his world-wide 
conquests, and the fame of his bravery and valour. 
His Prime Minister was Krishna Raj, and one of his 
other nobles is named Narain. The Jain religious books 
“ Jashesht-Tilak ” by Mahakavi Som Deo Suraj (Sambat 
1016), which was compiled in the reign of the eldest son 
of the Chalukiya, describes Krishna Raj as the conqueror 
of Pandiya, Singhal, Cher, Chola and other countries. 

One of his nobles, Ganga Bansi Bhutig (Bhutiya), 
had granted a piece of land in charity for Chaleshwar 
temple of Mahadeo {vide the Tamil stone inscription, 
dated Sambat 1007, found in Antkor, pargana Mandap, in 
Mysore). The same inscription states that Krishna Raj, 
son of Amoghwarsh, killed Raja Dit, Raja of Chola, in 
the battle Takul ; but some wordings which seem to have 
been inscribed later on in the empty space on one of its 
corners, shew that Raja Dit was treacherously killed by 
Bhutig, Raja of Gangawari Prant, while they were 
walking together. In recognition of this service, Krishna 
Raj awarded five parganas to Bhutig. 

This inscription when read with Bardha (referred to 
above) shews, that Bhutig and Bhutarer are the names of 
one and the same individual, as the former is a Hindi 
common word which becomes Bhutara in Sanskrit. In 
the Hubali stone inscription in Tamil language, Bhutig 
is written Bhutiya. 

Thus it would appear that the murderers of Rachh 
Mai and Raja Dit were instigated by Krishna Raj. 


( 27 ) 


In a stone inscription found from the Mulsthan 
temple, in village Bellore (Mysore), it is stated that in the 
sixteenth year of the reign of Kannar Deo, who was the 
conqueror of Kanchi (Konjewaram) and Tanji (Tanjore), 
where Palaobansi Rajas held sway, a lamp was presented 
by Baldeo, which used to emit light perpetually. From 
other inscriptions it appears that Krishna Raj 111 . ruled for 
some twenty-six years. “ Kavirasha ” by Pundit Haliad, 
refers to one of the three Krishna Rajas. Presumably 
this was Krishna Raj III. alluded to therein. After his 
death, his younger brother Khotig succeeded to the Raj 
gaddL 


KHOTIG (NITIYAWARSH). 

The decline of the Rathore Raj in the Deccan dates 
from his reign. He was not fortunate like his predecessors. 
His country was invaded by the Puwars of Malwa, who 
ransacked Maniya Khet (the capital). In a Shiva temple, 
in village Oodeypore in Gwalior, there is a stone inscrip¬ 
tion which describes the victory of Shri Harsh (also called 
Sujak) over Khotig. In the concluding portion of the 
work called “ Lakshmi Nam Mala” by Jain Pundit Dhan 
Pal, the account of the victory is thus given. In Sambat 
1029, after the plunder of Maniya Khet by the Malwa 
prince, he compiled the book and dedicated it to his sister 
Sundri. 

The invasion of Maniya Khet by the combined forces 
of Shri Harsh and Dushasun, Raja of Karnatic, may also be 
deduced from another stone inscription found in the ruins 
of the Mundelushwar temple in the village Arthana (Bans- 
wara), wherein it is described that Kank Deo Puwar, Raja 
of Bagar, cousin of Shri Harsh, fell in the battle-field fight- 



( 28 ) 


ing gallantly for his country. A stone inscription of this 
Raja, dated Sambat 1028, and another of Sambat 1029, Asoj 
Sudh Punam, have recently been found. According to Dhan 
Pal, Maniya Khet is said to have been plundered in 1029 
by the Puwars, and this leads us to believe that Khotig 
himself might have been killed in the battle, which circum¬ 
stance alone gave an opportunity to the Puwars to ran¬ 
sack the capital. He died childless and was succeeded by 
his brother, Kaka Raj, son of Niropam. 


KARA RAJ (KAK, KAKUL, KARKAR AND 
AMOGHWARSH IV.). 

The Karra ianibapatra , reference to which has already 
been made, was awarded by this Raja. 

This describes the victory he won over Gujrat, 
Chola, Pandiya, Hon, &c. The fall of the Rathore Rule was 
consummated during his reign. The Kherapatan tamba - 
patra shews that Tailap, the Chalukiya prince, vanquish¬ 
ed the Rathores and annihilated their Raj in the Deccan. 
The Bhera tanibapatra also describes the same historical 
mishap to the Rathores in a figurative language, thus :—. 

“ This glorious lamp of Kakul was put out by the 
powerful blast of Tailap.” The Yebur inscription shews 
that two of his leading Rathore nobles who were power¬ 
ful but tyrant Sardars (presumably his two sons or two 
near kinsmen), died in the battle-field, which hastened 
the fall of the Empire. Tailap recovered the lost terri¬ 
tory which Dantiwarma had conquered from his forefathers 
some 225 years back, as was done by the Bara incarna¬ 
tion of Vishnu, who rescued the land from the oppression 
and tyranny of the demons. 



( 29 ) 


To ascertain the date of the downfall of the Rathore 
Raj, we have to refer to a stone inscription in the Canari 
language, found in Bir Narain temple in the village Garag. 
It states that after annihilating the Rathores, routing 
Prince Munja, and beheading the Panchal Raja, Tailap 
ruled in Shrimukh, Sambat 1031. His reign extended for 
over a period of twenty-four years. The same fact is 
proved by another stone inscription at Kalegi-gaon (in 
the Nizam’s territory). 

The inscriptions of this Raja bear the years 1037, 
1046 and 1054 of the Sambat era. 

From another inscription found in Banshakri temple, 
Gandur village (district Bankapur), it is stated that in 
Sambat 1031, Asarh, on Sunday, Kakul Deo made a chari¬ 
table grant of some land. This shews that up to this day, 
Kakul held sovereignty ; but the same year is said to be 
the succession year of Tailap. This leads us to believe 
that before the close of this year, the Rathores lost the 
Empire. 

So far has been ascertained from the tambapatras 
and stone inscriptions as well as from the various Sanskrit 
and Tamil books. Now an abstract from the accounts of 
India, as given by the various Arab visitors, is quoted 
below. 

The Deccan Rathores are described by the Arabs as 
Balhara. As has already been stated, when Danti Durg 
routed Kirtiwarma and conquered Karnatic, he appropri¬ 
ated to himself the title of Balabh, which hitherto used to 
be the appellation of the Chalukiya princes. We have also 
seen that the descendants of Danti Durg are often termed 
Balabh, Shri Balabh, Balabh Narendra and Balabh Raj. 


( 30 ) 


In the various tambapatras of the Deccan and Gujrat, 
some of the Rashtra-kut Rajas have been styled by the 
name of Balabh, such as Amoghwarsh I., who is denomi¬ 
nated “ Balabh ” in the tambapatras , and the original name 
itself is omitted. 

Balabh Raj in colloquial language is equivalent to 
Valharai, Balharai and Balhara (Balabh = Valab or Balab 
and Raj = Rai or Ra). 

Thus there can be but little hesitation to believe that 
it was the Rathores whom the Arabs referred to, when 
they talk of Balhara. This view is futher supported by 
the following extracts from their works 


A book named “ Silsilat-tawarikh ” by Suleiman, com¬ 
piled in Hijri 237 (Sambat9o8) states : “ The Indians and 
the Chinese believe that there are four Emperors in the 
world—(D the Calipha of Bagdad ; (2) the Emperor of 
China ; (3) the King of Greece, and (4) Balhara. The 
latter rules over people whose ears are pierced. He is 
the greatest sovereign in India. Though there are good 
many petty chiefs in India, they all owe allegiance to 
Balhara. His ambassadors command great respect at the 
courts of other princes. His forces are like those of 
Arab, and are regularly paid. He has good many ele¬ 
phants and horses. He is a wealthy Emperor. The coins 
which bear the date of his succession are 1^ times as 
heavy as the Arab dirams. Balhara is not the name of 
any particular monarch but is a family title. Balhara’s 
dominions extend from Konkan to China. He is con¬ 
stantly at war with his neighbouring principalities, of 
which the Gujrat prince, however, is the strongest 
of all.” 


( 3i ) 

This seems to allude to Amoghwarsh 'who flourished 
from Sambat 872 to 934), for four reasons :— 

(1) The dates correspond. 

(2) He resumed the title of Balabh. 

(3) He carried on war with the Rathore Raja of 

Gujrat. 

(4) From Dhrava Raj’s account it appears that he 

had extended his authority from Prayag to 
Ayodhiya between Sambat 840—850. In a 
genealogy of the Nepal Kings it is mentioned 
that NaneDeo of the Deccan who founded 
the Karnatic bans conquered Nepal, and 
six Rulers of his line occupied the Nepal 
throne. 

It further appears that the Rathores held Karnatic 
for about 220 years, Sambat 810—1030. This leads us 
to believe that in Sambat 946, the Karnatic Rathores 
might have conquered the whole country of Nepal ; and 
thus it is possible that after the reign of Dhrava Raj, 
the Rathores might have proceeded further, from Ayo¬ 
dhiya and conquered a portion of Nepal, which subse¬ 
quently fell under their arms; as China and Nepal are 
conterminous countries, Suleiman’s account can thus be 
corroborated. 

Ibin Khurda, in his book called “ Kitab-ul-Masalik 
Va-ul-Mamalik,” writes that the greatest prince in India 
was Balhara, whose motto, as inscribed in the diamond 
of his ring, was “ Perseverance and determination ensure 
the success of every undertaking.” 

Ulmasadi also, in his work “ Marujal Jahah ” (Hijri 
332, Sambat 1001), says that Balhara, Raja of Manker, 


( 32 ) 


is the greatest prince in India. Many an Indian chief 
look upon him as their liege-lord. He has got an innu¬ 
merable force, the prominent element being foot Infantry, 
as he rules in mountainous countries. He has got good 
many elephants. This exactly applies to Krishna Raj III. 
In spite of the preponderating evidence in favour of 
the Rathore Rule, it may be contended that the Chalukiya 
princes who formerly enjoyed the title, are meant by 
“ Balabh when the Arabs allude to it. To remove 
every shadow of doubt, it may be asserted that the 
Balabh Raj of Chalukiya princes was annihilated before 
Sambat 805; moreover, neither their rule extended 
beyond Gujrat, nor did they ever rule in Manker 
(Mankher) or in hilly countries, nor had they any 
connection with Karnatic, nor had they wielded 
such powers as to bring under their subjection 
princes other than those of Kathiawar and a part of 
Gujrat. 

It may, however, be stated that Raja Mangli of the 
Chalukiya clan, was killed in Sambat 667, and after him 
the Chalukiya Raj was divided into two parts : one under 
Pulkeshi and the other under Bishno Bardhan. The de¬ 
scendants of the latter are called “ Chalukiya of Bengi 
Desh ” or “ Puralu Chalukiya.” Pulkeshi was the greatest 
prince of the clan. He was succeeded by Kiitiwarma, 
whose principality was annexed by Danti Durg between 
Sambat 804 and 810, and as stated above, Tailap recover¬ 
ed his dominions from Kakul in Sambat 1030. Thus it 
would appear that during the period intervening between 
Sambat 804—1030, neither the Pulkeshi or Rajas of the 
western part, nor the Bengi Desh or Rajas of the eastern 
part, held such an authority as to deserve special mention 
by the Arab travellers. 


( 33 ) 


ANCIENT ACCOUNT OF GUJRAT RAJAS. 

The oldest inscription available since the foundation 
of a separate principality of the Gujrat Rulers of Rathore 
is that of Antroli (dated Sambat 804', which gives the 
following genealogy of one offshoot of the Rathores 
who ruled over Gujrat:— 

Kaka Raj (Kark Raj). 

(Deccan Ruler;. 

I 

Dhrava Raj. 

Gobind Raj. 

Kark Raj II., Sambat 804 
(Ruler of Gujrat). 

It also describes the valour of Kark Raj II 
The wife of Kark Raj is said to be the daughter 
of Nagwarma. His title as given therein, is 
Parm Bhatarak Maharaja Dhiraj Parmeshwar, which 
shews that he might have been an independent prince; 
but he appropriated to himself the appellation of “ Panch- 
mahashabd,” which leads us to infer that he was a 
feudatory chief. It is probable that after Gujrat was 
conquered by Danti Durg, he might have made it over 
to Gobind Raj or his son, Kark Raj II. This genealogy 
terminates here and we cannot continue it further. From 
the Baroda tambapatra referred to above, it appears 
that Krishna Raj, uncle and successor of Danti Durg, 
annihilated all his kinsmen. After Durg, the heirs, 
presumptive to the Deccan throne, were Kark Raj and 
Krishna Raj, and it is just possible that the latter, to 
secure the throne for himself, might have killed his rival, 
and thus the line of the ancient rulers come to an end. 


£ 


( 34 ) 


Second Line of Gujrat Rulers. 

Dhrava Raj I (Ruler of the Deccan). 

I 

r i 

Gobind Raj III. Indra Raj 

(Ruler of the Deccan.) (Ruler of Gujrat and L4th Desh) 


Kark Raj. ( 2 ) Gobind Raj I. 

I (Purbhutwarsh). 

Dhrava Raj T. ( 3 ) 

(Niropam and Dharawarsh.) 

Akalwarsh I. 

(Shubhtung.) 

I 

r-i-1 

Dhrava Raj 11. Dantiwarma. Gobind Raj 11. 

(Dharawarsh;. | 

Akalwarsh II. 

(Krishna Raj.) 

Another line of Guj’rat Rulers was, as far as enqui¬ 
ries go, founded by Indra Raj, son of Dhrava Raj. As 
has already been stated, Gobind Raj, after the death of 
his father, made over Gujrat to his brother Indra Raj. 


INDRA RAJ. 

In quoting from the Baroda lambapatra , in the 
account of Gobind Raj, it has already been stated that 
Indra Raj put to flight the Raja of Gujrat, who had ad¬ 
vanced to oppose him and protected all those princes 
whose countries were being ravaged by Gobind Raj. 
This shews that Indra Raj, as soon as he was placed on 
the throne of Gujrat by his elder brother, co-operated 
with the enemies of his brother and entertained an 
idea ofd ethroning Gobind Raj to take his place. The 
consequence was that many petty chiefs raised the 
standard of rebellion. 






( 35 ) 


There is a tambapatra of Kark Raj, dated Sambat 969, 
which gives reason to believe that Indra Raj died some 
time before that year. 


KARK RAJ. 

In the Baroda tambapatra , it is also mentioned 
that the Raja of Gaur and Bengal was, by his victories, 
so much conceited as to contemplate the conquest of 
Malwa, whereupon Gobind Raj sent Kark Raj at the 
head of an army to defend that principality. In the 
tambapatra of Sambat 869 found in Baroda, this Raja is 
described as a submissive and a faithful ally. In the 
tambapatra of Sambat 892 of the reign of Dhrava Raj, 
it is stated that Kark Raj, unlike his father, was a faithful 
ally of the Suzerain, and thus he succeeded in putting 
down the rebellion of all the refractory nobles and rein¬ 
stating Amoghwarsh I. on the Empire in Sambat 872. 
This fact leads us to conclude that Kark Raj died some time 
after 872. 


GOBIND RAJ. 

Kark Raj had a younger brother, Gobind Raj. His 
chief noble was Budhwarsh, who granted a tambapatra in 
Sambat 870. Another tambapatra found at Kavi, granted 
by Gobind Raj himself, is dated Sambat 884. As Kark 
Raj was succeeded by his son and grandson, Gobind Raj 
does not appear to have ascended the throne of Gujrat, 
but enjoyed an independent/^/r. This is further proved 
by the fact, that in the tambapatras of Dhrava Raj, no 
mention is made of Gobind Raj in the list of the Rulers of 




C 36 ) 


Gujrat. From the Kavi tambapatra, it cannot be definitely 
ascertained whether Gobind Raj was the Raja of Gujrat 
or one of the nobles of that principality. It only states 
that Gobind Raj was the younger brother of Kark Raj 
and was the Raja of Rajas (this, however, seems to be an 
eulogium) ; but it is just probable that as Dhrava Raj was 
born shortly before Kark Raj died, Gobind Raj might 
have acted as a regent to the minor and thus virtually 
wielded the Ruler’s powers. This view finds some sup¬ 
port from the tambapatras of Baroda and Begamra, which 
describe the longings of Kark Raj for a son, with whom 
he seems to have been blessed in his old age. 


DHRAVA RAJ I. 

Unlike his father, he did not turn out a faithful ally ; 
and consequently rebelled against the authority of 
Amoghwarsh I., who, to crush him down, invaded his 
country and, as has already been stated (vide tambapatra of 
Begamra, Sambat 924), he was killed in "the battle-field. 
He was succeeded by his son Akalwarsh. 


AKALWARSH. 

The Begamra tambapatra further describes that Akal¬ 
warsh succeeded in recovering the lost territory, although 
his own wicked nobles had defied his authority and he 
was hard pressed by Balabh (Amoghwarsh I.). He was 
succeeded by his son Dhrava Raj. 




( 37 ) 


DHRAVA RAJ II. 

According to the tambapatva already quoted, it 
appears that although the Raja of Northern Gujrat (pre¬ 
sumably Krishna Raj Chawariya, who was then the Ruler 
of that part of the Empire) had besieged the country and 
Amoghwarsh I. was at daggers drawn with him, and his 
younger brother was also secretly trying to injure him, 
yet in face of so many difficulties, Dhrava Raj succeeded 
in restoring peace, by force of arms, and inputting to flight 
the besieging army. The country which he recently con¬ 
quered, was distributed among his followers. He was 
a very wealthy and powerful prince. The mighty Mehr 
Raja, who probably was one of the Rulers of Kathiawar, 
hearing the renown of the invincible Dhrava Raj, lost all 
courage, shewing thereby his utter inability to meet such 
a formidable foe. He was greatly assisted by his brother 
Gobind Raj. The latest tambapatra of the Gujrat Rajas is 
dated Sambat 945 and is found from Begamra ; but it is 
full of mistakes and errors ; and there are many omissions 
therein, inasmuch as some of the couplets are miss¬ 
ing, while others are mutilated, and hence quite incom¬ 
plete. In the first 18 verses of the Begamra tambapatra of 
Sambat 924, are the middle portions, that refer to the 
Rulers who flourished before Kark Raj. The 19th is 
about Dhrava Raj, but it is not complete. The 4th foot 
consists of three letters “ «J,” but the first three pads are 

mere repetition of the 30th verse of the first tambapatra , 
and thus to complete the verse, we may fill up the ellipsis by 
quoting from that very verse *W*{T which 

would mean, “ He had a son named Dhrava Raj.” In the 
20th verse, some letters are missing from the two pads of 


( 38 ) 


“ Vasuant lilka Chhund.” In wordings as they stand 
they mean “ Dantiwarma’s powerful son.” In the fol¬ 
lowing verse, the praise of some unknown Raja is 
sung. There is however one full verse which means 
that “By force of arms in opposition to Balabh in Ujjain, 
he routed all his enemies, and thus established his repu¬ 
tation.” After one ordinary verse, the charity of Raja 
Akalwarsh ^Krishna Raj) is alluded to. From this in¬ 
scription we may safely infer that the accounts of Dhrava 
Raj I., Akalwarsh I. and Dhrava Raj II. are omitted. After 
this we find two other names, Dantiwarma and Krishna 
Raj (Akalwarsh), and the allusion to the conquest of 
Ujjain. Pundit Ram Krishna Gopalia Bhandarkar posses¬ 
ses a tambapatra of Dantiwarma, (vide Asiatic Society, 
Volume 18, page 225,) dated 924, in which the account up 
to Dhrava Raj corresponds with the tambapatra of 924 
found in Begamra given by Dhrava Raj II. The latter 
tambapatra shews that Dhrava Raj had two younger 
brothers, one of whom was bent upon annihilating him 
and the other, Gobind Raj, had taken his side. 

Thus Dantiwarma apparently was the brother who 
was bent upon ruining him. Dhrava Raj II. besieged the 
country of the Deccan Rathores, which induced Krishna 
Raj II. to wreak his vengeance by annexing Lath Desh 
(vide Krishna Raj’s account). 

Krishna Raj is described in the tambapatra of Sambat 
945 as conqueror of his foes in the presence of Balabh, 
which leads us to believe that Krishna Raj, son of Danti¬ 
warma, might have joined with the Deccan Raja, Krishna 
Raj II., in order to maintain the integrity of his own prin¬ 
cipality, and this seems to be the cause of the enmity 
between Dhrava Raj and Krishna Raj. We find no 
further trace about this line after Sambat 945. 


( 39 ) 


THE RATHORES OF THE CENTRAL PROVINCES. 

A copper-plate of the Rathore King Nanda Raja in 
776, which has been found at the village of Multarada in 
the Betula pargana of the Central Provinces, gives the 
following account of the genealogy and history of the 
Rathores of those Provinces :— 

Durga Raja (1) 

I 

Gobind Raja (2) 

Swamika Raja (3) 

I 

Nanda Raja (Yudha Sura) (4) 

Gobind Raja, Swamika Raja and Nanda Raja were 
all powerful chiefs; and Nanda Raja, the son of Swamika 
Raja, has been described as the bravest of the brave, 
hence his other name Yudha Sura. He made a gift of 
the village of Jalankuta to Shri Prabhu Chaturvedi in 
766. The absence of the epithet “King” with the 
name of any of these chiefs, leads us to suppose that 
they were the feudatories of some other king. It is diffi¬ 
cult to trace the origin of these chiefs, but their names 
bear a strong resemblance to those of the Deccan Rathores. 
In the genealogical tree of the Deccan Rathores, the 6th 
Ruler is Dantiwarma, who is also called Danti Durg or 
Danti Durg Raja. 


THE RATHORES OF HATHUNDI (MARWAR). 

A stone inscription, found in the city of Hathundi and 
preserved in the Historical Records Depot of the Jodhpur 



( 40 ) 

State, gives the following genealogy and history of these 
Rathores:— 

Hariwarma (x) 

I 

Vidag Dharaja (973) (2) 

1 

Mammata (996) (3) 

I 

Dhavala (1053) (4) 

Bala Prashada (5) 

Dhavala helped the Chief of Meywar against 
Raja Munja, who had marched against him ; saved 
Mahendra from the attack of Durlabha Raja, and 
gave shelter to Raja Dharniwarsh, whose utter ruin 
Mul Faj was trying to bring about. In his old age he 
entrusted the difficult and responsible task of govern¬ 
ment to his son and became a hermit. His capital was 
Hastikundi (Hathundi) In Sambat 1053 he restored a 
Jain temple built by Vidag Dharaja, consecrating it to 
the idol of Rishubanath. In Sambat 973 Vidag Dharaja 
and in Sambat 996 Mammata Bad made gifts to the 
temple. 

The reason for Dhavala to help the Chief of Mey¬ 
war might probably be, that the Rathores were 
in some way related to the Meywar family. We 
know that Raja Singha of Meywar who lived about 
Sambat 1000, had married a daughter of the Rathore 
family. As is apparent from a stone inscription, 
found at Ayatpur, which states that Maha Lakshmi, the 
queen of Raja Singha and mother by him of Allata, 
originally belonged to the brave Rathore clan. A stone 
inscription of Allata, the nephew of the Rathores, dated 
Sambat 1010, preserved in the temple of Saraneshwar, 
half a mile off Oodeypur, states that Maha Lakshmi was 
the name of Allata’s mother. Munja was a Puwar Raja of 


( 4 * ) 


Malwa and Durlabh Raja was a Chauhan Raja of Sam- 
bhar. After Sambat 1030, Dharaniwarsh mentioned in 
the Hathundi inscription may have been either the Chand- 
asma King, Dharaniwarsh of Kathiawar or the King 
Dharaniwarsh of Marwar. Mul Raj was the Chalukiya 
(Solankhi) Raja of Gujrat, who had seized a portion of 
Marwar territory. 


THE RATHORES OF KANOUJ. 

No mention is made of the name “ Rathores ” in any 
of the copper-plates promulgated by the Hindu kings of 
Kanouj previous to the Mahomedan occupation of their 
territory, whereas the name of the Gadhwal race of 
Kshatriyas and that of the solar race are prominently 
noticed. It would, however, appear, that the Gadhwals 
were the same as Rathores, only under another name. 

The Gadhwal King Chandra or Chandra Deo, who 
had conquered Kanouj, left two sons, the elder of whom> 
Madan Pal, succeeded to his fathers throne, while the 
younger Vighrah Pal, got the Jcigir of Badaon near 
Kanouj. A stone inscription found at the southern gate 
of the old fort of Badaon and recording - a genealogy of the 
family of Vighrah Pal (from the time of Chandra Deo) the 
first King of Kanouj to that of Lakshan Pal, describes 
them by the name Rashtra-kut. It is a well known 
fact, that the Gadhwals of Northern India not only call 
themselves Rathores, but, being really of the same stock, 
do not marry with them. Moreover, the Chiefs of Kan- 
thith (Kamatistha), near Mirzapur, trace their descent 
from Gudan Deo, the son of Malik Chandra, younger 


F 



( 42 ) 

brother to Raja Jai Chand ; and consequently they are of 
the same ancestry as the Rathores, but they call them¬ 
selves Gadhwals. Thus, some of the several offshoots of 
the family of the Kanouj Rathores call themselves Rath- 
ores, while others Gadhwals, thus establishing the fact 
that there are two different names for members of the 
same stock. 

It may be interesting to inquire into the course of 
migration and dispersion of the different branches of the 
Rathore race of Kanouj. On the fall of the Hindu king¬ 
dom of Kanouj consequent upon the invasions of Sha- 
hab-ud-din Ghori, Sioji, a grandson of Raja Jai Chand, 
came over to Marwar and founded a kingdom here, while 
Dhuhadji, another descendant of the same Raja, took his 
way to the Karnatic and returned with an image of his 
family goddess, Rashtra Sainiya, with a number of South 
Indian priests to perform her worship. 

The image he set up in a suitable temple in Nagana, 
a village in Marwar. This new habitation gave the 
goddess the name of Nagnachi instead of the old Rashtra 
Sainiya. The form of this name, with the genitival 
feminine suffix of the South Indian languages, cor¬ 

responding to the “efft” of Hindi, indicates that the new 
name must have been started by the priests, and 
proves that the image was brought over from Southern 
India, while it also explains why the people of Marwar 
know the family goddess of their kings by her new name 
rather than by the old one. 

It further proves that the Rathores of Kanouj had 
their home in the Karnatic, and were merely an offshoot 
of the Rathores of South India. It has already been re¬ 
marked above, that Dhrava Raj extended his dominions 


( 43 ) 


from Prayag (Allahabad) to Uttara Koshala (Ayo- 
dhiya) sometime between Sambat 840 and Sambat 850 ; 
that Krishna Raj II. (Sambat 935—968) ruled as far as 
the banks of the Ganges, but that the rule of Krishna 
Raj III. (Sambat 997—1016) extended even beyond the 
Ganges. It is probable, therefore, that some time be¬ 
tween Sambat 840 and 1016, some prince of the Deccan 
Rathores gained possession of the provinces near the 
Ganges as a Jc,gir, and that Chandra Deo, the conqueror 
of Kanouj, was one of his descendants. The branching 
off of the Gadhwals may also be considered to have 
taken place at about the same time. 

Genealogical Tree of the Rathores of Kanouj. 

Yashovighrah. 

I 

Mahi Chandra. 

Chandra Deo (King of Kanouj). 

_|_ 

I I 

Madan Pal. Vighrah Pal 

| (The Chief of Badaon). 

Gobind Chandra. 

... J 

\ijai Chandra. 

I 

Jai Chand. 

I 

Harish Chandra (Kunvvar). 


YASHOVIGHRAH AND MAHI CHANDRA. 

Tambnpatras found at Kanouj give a genealogy com¬ 
mencing from Yashovighrah, and state that this magnani¬ 
mous king, “ illustrious as the Sun himself,” was a suc¬ 
cessor to a long series of kings of the Solar race. His 
son was the famous Mahi Chandra, also known as Mahi-Al 
or Mahi-Tal. Neither the father nor the son ruled over 
Kanouj. Mahi Chandra was succeeded by Chandra, 
better known as Chandra Deo. 




( 44 ) 


CHANDRA DEO. 

In a tambnpatra of Sambat 1154, given by Chandra 
Deo himself, is given a description of Chandra Deo's 
advancing into the country of his foes, the Rulers of 
Kanouj, and having put many a noble and brave warrior to 
the sword, he assumed the sovereignty over that kingdom. 
He protected his countries from foes and maintained 
internal peace. 

He brought the sacred cities of Kashi, Kushi, Uttara, 
Koshala.and Indrasthan within the sphere of his pro¬ 
tection. He weighed himself against gold and enriched the 
Brahmans with numerous gifts. This writing receives 
further strength from a tambnpatra found at Bassein, 
which states that on the death of Kings Bhoj and Karan, 
the country became involved in a civil conflict on account 
of a dispute about the succession, and Chandra Deo, who 
rivalled Indra as a protector of the world, delivered the 
people from anarchy, by himself succeeding to the vacant 
throne. This tambnpatra is an important record, for 
it points out that Kings Bhoj and Karan were the ancestors 
of the kings of Kanouj. We learn from a tambnpatra , 
dated Sambat 1161, of Madan Pal, son of Chandra 
Deo, that on Monday, the third of the bright half of 
Magha, 1154, Maharajah Shri Chandra Deo performed 
his ablutions in the Ganges at the Trilochan Ghat, 
in Benares, and made a gift of the village of Hoopookat 
to a Brahman named Vaman. From this we gather, 
that Chandra Deo was living in Sambat 1154 and 
that his death occurred some time between 1154 and 
1161. 



( 45 ) 


MADAN PAL. 

Madan Pal was also known as Madan Deo. He 
was a very powerful king and a terror to his enemies. He 
was a man of learning too ; one of his works on medi¬ 
cine, entitled “Madan Vinod Nighantri,” has been dis¬ 
covered. His death must have occurred some time be¬ 
tween Sambat Ji66and 1174, because some tambapatras t 
dated 1161, 1162 and 1166, respectively, describe his son 
Gobind Chandra as an heir-apparent, while that dated 
1174 represents him as a king. 


GOBIND CHANDRA. 

The tambapatra of Sambat 1166, gives us some in¬ 
formation about this king, who had not until then suc¬ 
ceeded to the sovereignty. It is interesting to know that 
even then he rivalled Ram Chandra in renown ; while in 
subduing the Kings of Ghor, he was only second to Bhim, 
and that he compelled Hamir,* by force of arms, to make 
peace with him ; he was also as bountiful as Kalpavriksha 
to those who sought his help. In short, he was a king 
renowned for great deeds. 


* Note.—T he word u Hamir r may stand for the name of some Hindu 
king, but more probably it seems to be a general designation of the Maho- 
medan kings ; for the word “ Hamir ” seems to be the Sanskrit form of the 
Persian word “ Amir.” In this sense, it occurs in Sanskrit works of a date 
subsequent to the time of the Mahotnedan invasions into India, in the 
various forms of “ Harnmir, ” “ Hamir ” or Hambir. ’ 

Similarly, it occurs on the coins of several Mahomedan kings, on the 
obverse of which their name is engraved in Persian and on the reverse the 
word “ Shri Harnmir ” or “ Hamir ” in Nagri characters. 




( 4 6 ) 


Gobind Chandra had fought bravely against the Ma- 
homedan kings. He was a great patron of learning, an 
interesting illustration of which is found in the fact that 
under his auspices, he caused a work named “ Vyavaha- 
ra Kalpataru ” to be composed by his Foreign Secretary, 
Pundit Lakshmi Dhar. 

A number of iambapatras issued by Gobind Chan¬ 
dra have been found, the last of them being dated Sambat 
121 r. But as a tambapatrci of Sambat 1224 describes 
Gobind Chandra’s son, Vyaya Chandra, as the king and 
prince Jai Chand as the elected heir-apparent, it must be 
considered that the death of Gobind Chandra took place 
some time between Sambat 1112 and 1224. 


VIJAI CHANDRA. 

Gobind Chandra was murdered by his son, Vijai 
Chandra. , There are several tambapatras which state 
that this Vijai Chandra was a mighty prince who excel¬ 
led his father in bravery, for he crippled the power of 
other kings, including the Mahomedan Rulers of the time. 
He distinguished himself by victory in his numerous en¬ 
gagements with the Mahomedans. The copper-plates 
of Sambat 1224 and 1225 shew that Vijai Chandra was 
living in the latter year and that his son, Jai Chand, was 
the heir-apparent; but it appears from a ianibapatra, 
dated Sambat 1226, that Jai Chand had succeeded to the 
throne by that year. This leads us to conclude that Vijai 
Chandra died either in the closing part of Sambat 1225 
or in the early part of Sambat 1226. 



(4 7 ) 


JAI CHAND. 

From several jambapatras issued by Jai Chand 
between Sambat 1226 and 1243, we learn that during his 
reign many chiefs loyally served under him. A tamba- 
patra, dated Sambat 1232, states that Jai Chand got, a 
son to whom the name Harish Chandra was given with 
due ceremony at Benares. On Sunday, the 13th of the 
bright half of Bhadrapada of the same year, Shri 
Harsh, the great poet, composed his famous poem 
“ Naishaddhia Charitam ” under the patronage of this 
king. No mention of Jai Chand is made in this work, 
but the author simply refers to the honors that he used 
to receive at the hands of the King of Kanouj. 

But in the work entitled “ Parbandhakosha,” written 
by Raja Shekhara Suri, in Sambat 1405, Shri Harsh is 
described as the chief Pandit at the Court of Jai Chand, 
the last Hindu King of Kanouj. Jai Chand met with 
death in S. 1250, in a battle against Shahab-ud-din Ghori, 
which is vividly described by various Indian historians, 
and therefore needs no reiteration. Jai Chand, in a tamba - 
patra of Sambat 1243, is described as a protector of the 
world. The account given by eminent Persian writers, 
such as Hassam Nizam and Abul Fazal, shew that 
he was a mighty Suzerain and many a chief owed alle¬ 
giance to him. His religious toleration was proverbial. 
He celebrated the great Raja Suya Yaga, in which 
royal personages engaged themselves in menial work. 
Raja Prithvi Raj, however, thinking it derogatory, did 
not attend it,—which is said to be the cause of the bitter 
enmity that ultimately ended in the ruin of both the 
princes. Jai Chand, however, set up a gold image of 
Prithvi Raj, which was bravely carried away by the 
latter. This daring deed of valour wrought a magic. 


( 48 ) 


effect on the daughter of Jai Chand, who fell in love with 
Prithvi Raj, who came in disguise and carried her away. 
Jai Chand’s forces pursued him as far as Delhi and de¬ 
stroyed his whole army. When this reached the ears 
of Shahab-ud-din, he entered into an alliance with Jai 
Chand and routed Prithvi Raj in the well-known battle. 


THE RATHORES OF BADAON. 

A stone inscription recording the genealogy of the 
descendants of Vighrah Pal, the younger son of the 
King Chandra (Chandra Deo), the conqueror of Kanouj, 
has been found among the ruins of the old fort of 
Badaon at its southern gate. It was set up in a temple 
of Shiva built by an ascetic named Ishana Shiva. It 
gives the following genealogy of the Rathores of that 
place:— 

Vighrah Pal Chandra. 

I 

Bhuvan Pah 

I 

Gopal. 


Tribhuvan Pah Madan Pal. Deo Pal. 

Bhim Pal. 

I 

Soor Pal. 

I 

I I 

Amrit Pal. Lakhan Pah 

It also records some details regarding these kings 
as follows :— 

Chandra, the first king, was a terror to his foes. His 
son was the high-minded Vighrah Pal, who distinguished 
himself in many battles. Vighrah Pal’s son was Bhuvan 
Pal, a venerable incarnation of virtue. This Bhuvan 
Pal had a son named Gopal, whose reign was followed 
by that of Tribhuvan Pal, who is remarkable for having 
successfully protected his country. This king was 






( 49 ) 


succeeded by his younger brother Madan Pal, the vigour 
of whose arms effectually kept the Hamirs out of his 
territory. It appears that Madan Pal being the feuda¬ 
tory of the Kanouj kings, had gone to help Raja Gobind 
Chandra or Vijai Chandra in some battles against the 
Mahomedan invaders. Madan Pal was succeeded by his 
younger brother Deo Pal, who was as liberal and kind- 
hearted in peace, as brave and magnanimous in war. 
He was followed by Bhim Pal, Soor Pal, Amrit Pal and 
Lakhan Pal in succession. The inscription on the above 
stone is so indistinct, that its date cannot be exactly as¬ 
certained ; but from the mode of writing, it appears to 
belong to the thirteenth century of the Vikram era, ac¬ 
cording to the inscription on the gate of the Juma Musjid. 
The Mahomedan occupation of Badaon dates from 620 
Hijri (S. 1280), i.e., twelve years, after Kut-bud-din 
Aibak began to reign, the first governor of the place being 
Shamsh-ud-din Altarnash, who, later on, became the Em¬ 
peror of Delhi. Hence the stone inscription in question 
must have been of a date earlier than Sambat 1280. 

Sioji and Set Ram, the grandsons of Jai Chand, with 
a handful of followers, a wreck of the mighty Empire, 
emigrated, and on their way to Gujrat, sojourned at Pali. 
The Minas constantly harrassed the Brahmans of this 
town. These wandering chiefs put an effectual check to 
their inroads. The Brahmans were so much pleased with 
their timely help, that they solicited their protector Sioji 
with his retainers to settle at Pali. Collecting some fol¬ 
lowers, he gained in strength and attacked and conquered 
the territory of Kher from the Gohels. Here they steadily 
grew in power and succeeded in establishing a kingdom 
known as Marwar, which now covers an area of 34,965 
square miles. 


Pioneer Press—No. 1464—16—11—96—300. 











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